using you. I am an honest man, and
have been your dupe. You have thought to make me a mere tool; your fine
Norbert is a fool, but he will pay for his doings with his head all the
same."

At these gross insults Mademoiselle de Laurebourg rose to her feet and
attempted to speak, but he cut her short.

"I can't stop to pick and choose my words, for I feel at the present
moment as if the axe of the guillotine were suspended over my head. Now
just oblige me by getting out of this, and never show your face here
again."

"As you like. I will communicate with Champdoce."

"You shall not," exclaimed Daumon with a gesture of menace. "You might
as well go and ask how the Duke enjoyed the taste of the poison."

His words, however, did not deter Diana, for any risk seemed preferable
to her than the present state of suspense.

With a glance of contempt at the Counsellor she left the cottage,
determined to act as she thought fit.

After Diana's departure, Daumon felt too that he must learn how matters
were going on, and going over to the Widow Rouleau's, he despatched her
daughter Francoise to the Chateau de Champdoce, under the pretext that
he wanted some money which he had lent to one of the Duke's servants.
He had instructed the girl so cunningly that she had no suspicion of
the real end and object of her mission, and set out on it with the most
implicit confidence. He had not long to wait for her return, for in
about half an hour his messenger returned.

"Well," said he anxiously, "has the scamp sent my money?"

"No, sir, I am sorry to say that I could not even get to speak to him."

"How was that? Was he not at Champdoce?"

"I cannot even tell you that. Ever since the Duke has been ill, the
great gates of the Chateau have been bolted, for it seems that the poor
old gentleman is at his last gasp."

"Did you not hear what was the matter with him?"

"No, sir, the little I have told you I got from a stable boy, who spoke
to me through a grating in the gate, but before he could say ten words
Jean came up and sent him off."

"Do you mean Jean, the Duke's confidential man?"

"Just so," returned the girl, "and very angry he was. He abused the lad
and told him to be off to the stables, and then asked, 'Well, my girl,
and pray what do you want?' I told him that I had come with a message
to the man Mechenit; but before I could say any more he broke in with,
'Well, he isn't here, you can call again in a month.'"

"You sil